http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Porsche...BYcsB1&vxp=mtr

I'm looking for a 924/944/968 auto for my son and I would be excited with low power and no shifting.

This one looks ok, although I don't think the mileage is correct and the price is 944 territory. I know what questions to ask, but I am always fearful of EBAY listings. If it was a great example with low miles, a Porschefile would have jumped on it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

No mention made of any service history. At that top dollar price for a 924, a grand or two in service puts you way underwater. Than again it may need nothing. Catching up on needed services can add up if you have to pay a shop.
JMHO as your smileage may vary.

 

I would not be afraid to pay that money if it's as righteous as represented; but not if an automatic.

The automatics have a propensity of trans troubles. Maybe why no real enthusiast has spirited it away

 

Teach your son to drive a manual. The autos have a rubber disk like the 944 that costs more than the car is worth. Plus, 150 hp and a three speed auto in todays world of 200hp civics is the formula for a slow boring but decent handling car.

 

Thanks guys, I received an email back from the guy. He said they "purged" all of the service records for privacy. WTF, seriously, I think this car has a story. I agree with the automatic issues, as well as teaching my son to drive a 5 speed. I just need to find him a less expensive car to learn to drive the manual than a Porsche.

By the way, thanks for the rubber disk info, I knew that and mentioned it to my son. He thought I was just talking him out of his dream car. Having someone else say it, in print, got his attention. I was able to search reenlist and get a cost for the fix, once again, it got his attention.

 

My daughter (the one waving in the avatar) gets her permit next February. She suggested we "build" a car together like I did with my dad and my 68 Firebird Convertible. I am all for that as long as it meets the following two requirements:
Three pedals
Two doors
And if I had a genie, add
Miserable to nonexistent rear seat (not for the reason you think).

From what I've read over the years, it is distractions that cause accidents.

I am considering a Cooper, 128i, Volvo C70, C30, even a Crossfire. If the right deal comes along 350Z is in the running. All but the 350 are in roughly the same price range of a Mustang. All are less than 20 years old. All will keep up with a 944 in most situations off the track, and the Cooper, 128i, 350Z and probably Crossfire will keep up or in the case of the 128i which I have experience in, run a better time on the track.

 

Just FYI, you don't have to replace the front damper (that rubber disk that cost more than the car) you can replace it with a pressure plate and clutch from a manual. You just throw out the throw out bearing, and leave the clutch forever engaged. Don't even have to have a good clutch. Just one that can engage. It will never slip or wear again so will last forever in theory. And the whole thing can cost less than $100. I'm in the process of doing this right now.

 

My 17 YO daughter inherited my 2006 Audi A4 with a 6 speed manual. She was not happy about it at first but over time she mastered the stick and now is a true convert and loves it. She loves the fact that she can drive the car and friends are amazed. She has also discovered the "fun" aspect of driving a stick. it made such an impression on her she wrote her college essay on how she went from hating it to master it.

 

Forty years ago my wife wanted a VW Scirroco, unable to drive a manual, she learned because she wanted too. She's one of the two women I have known who didn't make me cringe when using a clutch, the other whom had purchased a new SS396 Chevelle with a 4 speed, God bless 'em both When admiring cars at shows my wife will mutter something like 'too bad it's a slushbox" or something like that. My oldest niece just got a really, really great deal on a new VW Passat because it was a stick, one of only two manual transmissions out of about 100 cars on a large city dealer's lot and they couldn't move it. The art of driving is being lost, much like reading a map or flying by the seat of your pants. When we needed traction control, our right foot, ABS, our right foot again, our location, our map. Too much dependence on electronic controls and gadgets now is creating a clueless generation of helpless drivers.